US approves sale of submarine-launched Harpoon Block II missiles to South Korea

[Gasoline]

US approves sale of submarine-launched Harpoon Block II missiles to South Korea


Ridzwan Rahmat, Singapore - IHS Jane's Navy International
19 November 2015

An artist's rendering of a Boeing Harpoon Block II missile. The US has approved the possible sale of UGM-84L submarine-launched Block II missiles to South Korea. Source: Boeing Company




The US Department of State has approved a potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of UGM-84L Harpoon Block II submarine-launched missiles and associated components to South Korea, the Defense Security Co-operation Agency (DSCA) announced on 18 November.

The UGM-84L Block II missile is the submarine-launched version of the RGM-84L. Besides 19 UGM-84L Harpoon Block II all-up-round missiles, the approval also covers the possible sale of 13 Block II upgrade kits and associated equipment, parts, training, and logistics support.

"The acquisition of the Harpoon Block II missiles and support will supplement current weapon inventories and bring the [Republic of Korea] Navy's anti-surface warfare performance up to existing regional baselines," the DSCA said.

"The proposed sale will provide a defensive capability while enhancing interoperability with the United States and other allied forces. Sub-launched Harpoon missiles have been used by the [Republic of Korea] since the 1990s. The [Republic of Korea] will have no difficulty absorbing these additional missiles into its armed forces," it added.

The sale is valued at approximately USD110 million and Boeing Company has been named as a prime contractor in the potential deal. There are no known offset arrangements proposed in the potential sale, said the DSCA.



US approves sale of submarine-launched Harpoon Block II missiles to South Korea | IHS Jane's 360

 

[Corzhens]

This is another black eye for North Korea which is like a child playing with envy of the other kids. After bandying their invisible nuclear plant, it it North Korea's turn to feel envious.

To the mind of a layman like me, the facts and figures that I read regarding transactions involving military weaponry and equipment are unusually high compared to non-military transactions like agricultural equipment or even construction materials. Truly, a war is big business.

 

[Juanpeace]

Saber rattling will only increase tensions in the Korean peninsula. The North is headed by a trigger happy kid wanting to pick his first fight. I do believe the north Korean president is playing with an X-box somewhere inside a nuclear submarine and imagining a world war III scenario.Missile deals such as these must not be made public since prudence is the better part of valor. The two Koreas must never fight again it will drag the whole Asian region in turmoil what with China in increased tensions with other countries over the islands in the West Philippine sea.